Art has the unique ability to make visible what often remains unheard or unseen: lived realities, structural inequality, and collective hope for change. It touches the heart, connects people and invites engagement. Therefore, art can function as a powerful form of social intervention - not by offering readymade solutions, but by questioning dominant narratives, challenging existing power structures and creating space for alternative perspectives. It enables a shared imagination of a more just and inclusive future. Art opens conversations that might otherwise never take place and reinforces the awareness that change is not only necessary, but possible.
10Children places the experiences and perspectives of children and young people in the centre. They are the experts; the artistic process emerges from their stories, questions, and lived realities. We approach art not just as a final product, but as a collective youth-centered process that creates space for dialogue, shared imagination, expression, and social reflection. Children and young people are not approached as victims, but as powerful individuals full of creativity, potential, and resilience. We create work with them, not about them. We value them as active contributors and co-creators with important perspectives and insights.
For 10Children, taking time and building trust are essential. We encourage artists to invest deeply in their relationships with children and young people, to listen fully - without assumptions or offering solutions. Art functions as a safe and empowering space, where they can express themselves, their emotions and ideas beyond verbal frameworks. Since the work is made in co-creation, ownership is shared between artists and participants. Children and young people retain ownership of their own stories, participate in decisions about how these are used, and receive appropriate recognition and compensation. While artists hold legal ownership of the artwork, they acknowledge the children as co-creators and authors.
We address global challenges at the local level. By directly involving people, communities become more engaged, empowered, and motivated to create change. Local participants bring crucial knowledge of their culture, environment, and daily challenges - knowledge that is indispensable for meaningful and lasting impact. In every city, 10Children builds a close-knit community around the project, connecting children and young people, along with their families, to artists and cultural organisations, as well as social, medical, and educational partners, businesses, and local authorities.This layered approach creates shared ownership, responsibility and genuine local leadership. At the same time, 10Children connects participants to an international network that share best practices, exchange knowledge, and support one another, strengthening both local impact and global collaboration.
The work of 10children is rooted in equity, diversity, and decolonized practice. Lived experience, cultural knowledge and local practices are recognised as key expertise. We actively include and value diverse identities, cultures, talents, and perspectives - especially voices that have historically been marginalized or excluded. Projects are locally led and shaped, with space for artistic freedom, authenticity, and cultural expression. We acknowledge existing power imbalances and commit to transparency, shared decision-making, and reflection.
10children develops with artists new ways to use art as a meaningful intervention for social change, while maintaining its personal and artistic integrity. The collaboration with artists creates space for young people to discover their strength, talents, and identity. Personal growth that is lasting and rooted in dignity and recognition. Their voices become part of the broader social debate, influencing awareness and inspiring change. We connect social organizations working toward the same cause. Together, a stronger impact, advocacy and visibility, can be achieved by sharing resources, knowledge and best practices .10children aims also to reach decision-makers, who can ultimately change and improve the lives of many children and youngsters. Each edition becomes a prestigious platform where children and young people meet ministers, mayors, and politicians, ensuring that their voices are heard.
Find out more about our working method and project framework!
Gorterspad 7
NL-1544RW Zaandijk
KvK 74131591
RSIN8597.83.157
Valentijn Ouwens
Cobie de Vos
Jaap Gerkes
